Patna: In politics, there are no permanent friends and enemies and it is time that plays a crucial role in defining these two words. The old phrase 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' is the right word for RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav who has offered a helping hand to Chirag Paswan at the time of crisis. All the trusted people of Paswan have left him alone after being ousted as chief of LJP which was founded by his father late Ram Vilas Paswan. Chirag did not even spare Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticising him that it was not right if Ram remains silent when Hanuman is being killed.
Chirag Paswan had described himself as the 'Hanuman' of PM Modi during the recent Bihar Assembly polls. As things change according to the situation in politics, Tejashwi has come forward to save him. Once Chirag's father and Tejashwi's father Lalu Prasad were the biggest political rivals and never missed an opportunity to criticize each other.
It was Lalu who had coined the name of senior Paswan as Mausam Vaigyanik as the Dalit leader had the great nose of smelling the winning side in politics. That was the reason why senior Paswan had an excellent record of being a central minister in almost every government from 1989 to 2020.
However, after the coup in LJP, Chirag is desperately looking for support from someone who can back him with much trust and emotion. Being the son of a seasoned and matured politician, Tejashwi has shown his big heart but the question remains the same, what lies behind the RJD leader offering help to Chirag as both had a blow cold and blow hot relations in the past.
Also Read: How the RJD patriarch's return could impact Bihar politics?
Two days back when Tejashwi returned to Patna he not only offered help to Chirag but also remembered how his father had sent senior Paswan to Rajya Sabha in 2010 when LJP had no representation either in Lok Sabha and state assembly. Political observers opined that Tejashwi has done with much thought and introspection because he knows very well that even though his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras has broken the MPs but the sentiment of the Paswan community (6 per cent vote bank) remains with Chirag only.
Tejashwi has gone one step ahead by declaring that on the foundation day of RJD the party will first observe the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan as a great Dalit leader and then party functions will start.
"It is a great gesture from Tejashwi and also an excellent political move. At the time of crisis when BJP has shut their mouth, JDU is already damaging and his own uncle has betrayed, Tejashwi has shown his maturity. In the coming days, Chirag may join the RJD fold or leave but Tejashwi will surely be able to win the sentiments of the Paswan community. The RJD leadership has seen in the last assembly poll how Chirag alone has managed to bag 25 lakh votes. If those vote banks shift to the RJD, you can imagine what will happen. RJD already have a vote bank of Muslim and Yadav (around 30 per cent vote bank) and in this assembly election, even the upper caste also voted for Mahagathbandhan. The way Lalu has helped Ram Vilas, now Tejashwi is helping Chirag at the time of crisis," said Patna based political analyst Dr Sanjay Kumar.
Also Read: Special category status on the cards for Nitish's Delhi visit
It was senior Paswan who had spoiled the game of Lalu in February 2005 assembly polls by fielding LJP candidates against Lalu's RJD and had won 29 seats. Despite being the single largest party with 81 seats RJD could not form the government without the support of Paswan. Senior Paswan did not support Lalu and president's rule was imposed in Bihar and it was JDU and BJP who formed the government when the election was held once again in November 2005.
On several occasions senior Paswan and even junior Paswan had referred to Lalu as a comedian and expiry medicine. After snapping a five-year-old tie with Lalu, the senior Paswan had once said that he never had a meeting of hearts with Lalu despite the latter sending him to Rajya Sabha. However, political observers opined that the situation changes as per the time and once again Lalu family has come forward to save the legacy of senior Paswan. With this move, RJD would also be able to consolidate the Dalit votes in the future election.
"In politics, one never makes moves to provide any benefit to someone, the moves are always made to get as much as possible benefits and this is what RJD is doing at present," Dr Sanjay stressed adding that both will suit each other because they have a common political enemy Nitish Kumar.
Also Read: Darbhanga train blast case may be transferred to NIA
